Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• We need to hear again the Missionary Call
• We must not choose the easy way
• We must refresh ourselves with the call to Missions
• The Missionary Call:
• A summation of the previous 10 chapters
• This has implications for the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ
• v14-15 - four very poignant questions
• Rom 1:10
• People need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ
• There are objections to this thought
• Example - wrong thinking
• Many people can take this view
• This type of thinking is not biblical

Premise 1 - all people have heard God

• Rom 1:18,19 - God has shown Himself to us
• We are unrighteousness
• We suppress the truth
• God has put Himself in our heart and creation
• Rom 1:20 - God has revealed Himself to all people
• So they are without excuse
• Example of Helen Keller
• Rom 3:10-12
• No-one is righteous
• No-one really seeks God
• All have turned away

Premise 2 - by suppressing the truth about God we are rightfully condemned

• Humanity has held up its fist and said we want to be on our own throne
• Not necessarily because they have rejected Jesus Christ but because they have rejected what God has already put in their hearts

Premise 3 - the Good News

• Jesus Christ came into this world to die for sinners

Premise 4 - people need to hear the message in order to believe

• The gospel is only 'good' news if it reaches people in time
• Personal example of people dying
• People need to hear the preached word of Christ
• Friendship evangelism
• Kind Acts
• Also needed - but only the preached word can induce faith

Premise 5 - the church is the only one who can preach the message

• Example of Cornelius
• He was told by the angel to go to Peter
• He was not accepted for being an 'anonymous Christian'
• We must hear the good news
• The Church has a responsibility to preach the good news
• If there is a 'Cornelius' - God will raise up someone to take the gospel to them
• Example of dreams and visions to make contact with a Christian
• Personal example - nothing special

Premise 6 - the task is urgent

• At least two-thirds of the world are unreached with the gospel
• At least 2.5 billion have no access to the gospel message
• Rom 1:14 - Paul is under an obligation, a debtor
• He has been given something that he needs to give to something else
• Example
• We are all 'debtors' in the gospel - we have a responsibility to take the good news to the world
• Three choices
• We can deny this - the 'salad bar' approach
• We can ignore this call
• We can embrace it
• Personal example of my gospel call
• The will of God is take the gospel

Four Practical Steps

1. We must pray that we will respond
• Some are called to leave
• Some are called to be senders
2. Senders are to be as committed as those who go
3. Be sent to the people that God has already put you in
• E.g. neighbours and friends
4. Consider crossing a boundary
• E.g. Overseas mission

Closing Remarks

• We are only a believer because someone crossed the boundary to us
• We have received thanks for our gospel witness
• It is an incredible privilege
• We have a responsibility to take the gospel